Privacy Policy

Information We Collect

PlainFoodSafe maintains strict limits on visitor data collection. We use Umami for traffic analytics, a platform intentionally built without cookie support and without any mechanism for collecting personal information. All metrics are aggregated and anonymous.

Cookies & Tracking Technologies

PlainFoodSafe does not set first-party cookies. However, third-party services used on this site may set cookies:

  • Google AdSense uses cookies to serve ads based on your visits to this and other websites.
  • Cloudflare may set security cookies to distinguish humans from bots.
  • Google Analytics (GA4) uses cookies to measure website traffic and usage patterns.

Your browser's light/dark theme preference is stored in localStorage, which never leaves your device.

Advertising

We display advertisements through Google AdSense. You can opt out of personalized advertising at Google Ads Settings or aboutads.info.

Data Sources

All data displayed on this site comes from OpenFoodFacts (Open Database License), the FDA SAFFA database, and the CSPI Chemical Cuisine guide. No private or proprietary data is used. According to the FDA, the Substances Added to Food (SAFFA) inventory is refreshed periodically; see our methodology for the full source list and refresh cadence.

Editorial Independence

Content on PlainFoodSafe is compiled from public data: the FDA Substances Added to Food (SAFFA) additive inventory, CSPI Chemical Cuisine independent ratings, US state additive-restriction records, and the Open Food Facts product catalogue are transformed into readable profiles by a documented data pipeline. The PlainFoodSafe editorial team is responsible for editorial standards and corrections.

We do not accept payment, sponsorship, or promoted placement from manufacturers, brands, retailers, or any food industry entity. Our only revenue source is contextual display advertising served by Google AdSense, advertisers do not influence which entities we cover or how we present data, and they do not receive preferential placement.

Third-Party Services

  • Cloudflare - CDN, security, and hosting
  • Google AdSense - advertising
  • Google Analytics - traffic measurement
  • Umami - privacy-focused, cookie-free analytics

Your Rights

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and similar privacy frameworks in other jurisdictions, you have the right to know what personal data is collected about you, request access to or deletion of any such data, withdraw consent for analytics or advertising at any time, and opt out of personalized advertising offered by Google AdSense or any other third-party participating in the same disclosure programs.

To exercise these rights with respect to PlainFoodSafe, contact us at the address below. Because we collect no personally identifiable information directly, most data-rights requests are short conversations clarifying what is and is not held, but we respond to every request promptly.

Children's Privacy

PlainFoodSafe does not knowingly collect information from children under 13. The site does not feature accounts, profiles, or any user-submitted content. Parents who believe a child has been served personalized advertising can opt out via the Google Ads Settings link above and may also contact us if they want to raise a specific concern.

Updates to This Policy

We may revise this policy when we add or change a third-party service, when regulations evolve, or when we identify a clearer way to describe an existing practice. Material changes are reflected in the "Last updated" timestamp at the top of this page; non-material edits (clarifications, link maintenance, contact-address changes) may be applied without a timestamp bump.

Contact

Questions about this privacy policy, requests to exercise data rights, and concerns about advertising or analytics behavior can all be directed to privacy@plainfoodsafe.com. We aim to respond within five business days.